The Methods, Process, and Practice in Singing and Songwriting master class will take participants on a journey through the musical paths and varied songwriting methods of Gretchen Parlato and Rebecca Martin. This revealing workshop will enlighten and inspire through a range of topics that include early musical experiences, writer’s block, breakthroughs, connecting your creative work to your daily life, and finding your true voice. During the session, participants will be led through unique songwriting processes with hands on writing and composing exercises done individually and in collective groups.

Gretchen Parlato

Native Californian Gretchen Parlato has emerged as one of the most inventive and mesmerizing vocalists of her generation. Maintaining top status and world wide critical acclaim, Parlato has lent her voice to more than 75 albums, performed and recorded with musicians such as Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Barron, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington, Terence Blanchard, Marcus Miller, and Lionel Loueke. Parlato has released four solo albums, her most recent LIVE in NYC cd/dvd received a GRAMMY nomination in 2015 for Best Vocal Jazz Album. Her 2011 release The Lost and Found received over 30 national and international awards including Jazz Critics Poll #1 Vocal Album of 2011 and iTunes Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Parlato currently teaches Jazz Voice at Manhattan School of Music.

Rebecca Martin

Maine-born Rebecca Martin is a widely respected and critically acclaimed two-decade veteran whose wide-ranging vocal and songwriting talents have allowed her to effortlessly straddle the worlds of jazz and pop. She has recorded with some of the world's most esteemed musicians, including Brian Blade, Paul Motian, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Guillermo Klein, Jeff Ballard, Jesse Harris, Steve Cardenas, Pete Rende, Bill McHenry, Kenny Wollesen, Ben Street and Martin's husband, bassist Larry Grenadier, releasing eight albums that showcase her indelible voice and supple guitar work. Martin’s most recent album of original compositions “Twain” reached the number one spot on both iTunes and Amazon in France and was selected as one of the best albums of 2013 by iTunes and the New York Times. Rebecca is preparing for the release of a new collaborative project with the composer Guillermo Klein called "The Upstate Project" featuring Larry Grenadier and Jeff Ballard, that will be available on Sunnyside Records in February of 2017.

Both Parlato and Martin have been collaborating together for six years in their group 'Tillery' that also features Becca Stevens. Recently, the group self released their debut album in the states (July 2016) and on Core Port in Japan (September 2016).